The South African High Commissioner and IAI Board Chair were received on Thursday.

External Affairs Minister, Prof. Pierre Moukoko Mbonjo and the High Commissioner of South Africa to Cameroon, Martha Tsheole Ntshadi, yesterday May 10, 2012 explored ways of reinforcing bilateral relations.

Both countries, it was revealed, have strategic positions in their different sub regions and serve neighbouring countries. It was therefore important for Prof. Pierre Moukoko Mbonjo and Martha Tsheole Ntshadi to revisit the roles of Cameroon and South Africa in the Southern African and Central African Sub-regions respectively. Besides, they also discussed possibilities by which Pretoria and Yaounde can promote intra-African trade.

The African Union, the South African diplomat said, is more concerned about such cooperation; reason why a summit will soon hold in Malawi to discus the issue. Also of prime importance is the upcoming Diaspora Conference to hold in South Africa, mandated by the African Union. “Cameroon has a strong Diaspora relationship with people from America who are tracing their roots. Because of this, Cameroon can play an important role in sensitising other African countries on the issue,” said Martha Tsheole Ntshadi.

The Board Chair of the African Institute of Computer Sciences, IAI, Alex Bernard Bongo Ondimba was equally received by Minister Moukoko Mbonjo shortly after the South African diplomat. He told the press after the discussion that as an institute that has branches in many countries in Africa with diplomatic status, it was important for him to discuss with the Minister in charge. They therefore discussed ways of developing other areas of cooperation. The Board Chair was accompanied by over 15 people among whom was the Director of IAI Cameroon, Armand Claude Abanda.